Luffa

When the fruit is a vibrant green and under six inches long, it can be used as a mild-tasting vegetable, enjoyed much like summer squash. As the vine dies back and the gourd turns a brittle yellowish-brown, its soft flesh transforms into a fibrous skeleton. Once harvested and dried, the gourd can be peeled to reveal its natural sponge, perfect for scrubbing and exfoliating. Artisans and soap makers often take it a step further, slicing the sponge to embed it into handmade bars of soap, creating a cleansing bar with invigorating exfoliation.